Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh
As the 2024 elections loom, Dr. Yaw Mathew Opoku-Prempeh, running mate to Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, is urging the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) to take a clear stand on the pressing issue of galamsey—illegal small-scale mining. Addressing the 58th Annual Congress of NUGS at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, he declared, “Whether you like it or not, we have to hear from NUGS.”
A staunch proponent of mining, Dr. Opoku-Prempeh emphasized that gold beneath Ghana’s soil is meant to benefit humanity. “I am one hundred percent pro-mining,” he stated, advocating for responsible practices that can uplift lives and strengthen the economy.
In a striking analogy, he referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump, noting, “No politician will come out with a policy that will let them lose the votes of the people they want to lead. Trump says he doesn’t like martyrs because they are dead.” This highlighted the delicate balance politicians must strike on controversial issues.
With the galamsey crisis impacting both the environment and public health, Dr. Opoku-Prempeh’s call for NUGS to engage actively in the conversation comes at a critical time. The pressure is mounting on leaders to reconcile economic interests with environmental stewardship.
As discussions around galamsey heat up, the involvement of students, environmentalists, and politicians will be crucial in shaping Ghana’s future. With the stakes higher than ever leading into the elections, Dr. Opoku-Prempeh’s appeal for a decisive stance from NUGS underscores the urgency of finding solutions that safeguard the nation’s resources and democratic values.
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